Trump on Monday said there was "no collusion" between his campaign and the Russians. In a tweet, he blamed the poor U.S. relationship with Russia on "many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!"

Rep. Katherine Clark Trump called Trump's performance "disgusting and dangerous." Rep. William Keating said it was impossible to distinguish Trump's words from Russian propaganda.

Admiral James Stavridis, Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, says he was shocked Trump publicly denigrated the U.S. intelligence community.

"Just look at the body language of the two Leaders when they walked into that press conference. Vladimir Putin, strutting and smiling. The President of the United States looking very somber, sober," remarked Stavridis.

A self-described independent, courted by both Clinton and Trump campaigns, Stavridis says from Putin’s perspective, much has been accomplished — an increased sense of division in the United States reduced credibility in U.S. intelligence and greater distrust between the U.S. and its allies.

"I think that Vladimir Putin will go back to his team and say, 'I just hit a home run,'" Stavridis said.